Pearl Roberta Gagnon

Pearl was preceded in death by her late husband of 67 years, John Henry Gagnon Sr, on Oct 29, 2021. She was also preceded in death by her oldest brother Allen P. Ridley and youngest brother Donald W. Ridley.

She was the daughter of Donald H. Ridley and Effie H. Bradeen of South Portland, Maine. Pearl was the grand-daughter of a Methodist minister, but later in her life converted to the Catholic faith. She is survived by her sister Pat Clement (of Auburn, ME) and her brother Roger Ridley (of Rochester, NY), and her numerous offspring. Her five children include: Bobbie (and Bill) Riggle of Omaha, NE; Pat (and Joe) Mullis of Valdosta, GA; Rich Gagnon (and Korena) of Biloxi, MS; Jim (and Deb) Gagnon of Blue Springs, MO; and John (and Shawna) Gagnon Jr of Deatsville, AL.

Pearl was born in South Paris, ME where she reminisced about the days of being rocked by her mother singing lullabies and her father reading the newspaper comics to her. She loved listening to her father play “Kitten on the Keys” which was the beginning of her own musical talents. And from her mother, she gained the skill and love of needle work, later sewing cloths for her own children. She attended Elementary and High School in Maine where a “shy” Pearl signed up for the Glee Club and Chorus, where she performed as a soloist at assembly. But she began taking an interest in dissecting animals in Biology class. Thus, it was no wonder after High School graduation, she attended college to become a Medical Technologist.

And it was after college graduation that Pearl finally said “Yes” to her High School sweetheart John Gagnon’s marriage proposal with their date set for August 28, 1954. With John already in the Air Force, the newlyweds soon departed for Forbes Air Force Base, Topeka, KS to begin their military career. Bobbie, Pat, and Rich were already introduced into the world before the family moved to Madrid Spain in 1959 for their next assignment which included time in Stuttgart Germany. While overseas, the Gagnon’s added two more boys (Jim and John Jr.) to the fold. Imagine the joy and wonder of traveling Europe with 5 kids to coral as they went camping everywhere! They returned to the states (Warner Robins AFB, GA), then on to Moody AFB, GA where they finished their military career. And in a few years moved to Montgomery, AL to continue as civil servants at Gunter AFB, AL.

Pearl continued her musical interests singing with the Sweet Adaline’s and also joining the Accentuation Quartet as bass singer. She also divided her time between barbershop harmony and her duties as director of “Pearl’s Gems”. In 2020, she and John moved to Omaha to live with their oldest daughter, Bobbie. Although John passed away in 2021, Pearl continued to visit with her 15 grandkids who rewarded her with 29 great-grandkids, and 9 great-great grandkids scattered across the states to whom she sang her mother’s lullabies. She never hesitated to share a smile or stick out her tongue in playful tease for the camera. She entertained everyone with her life stories and hilarious jokes. She was the sweetest, most loving, caring lady the kids knew, constantly making sure everyone was as comfortable as possible. She was the epitome of “Mothers: More about OTHERS”; putting others first. She shared her carefree approach to life with all, “It is what it is.” And with one last poke at the FaceTime camera, “I got your nose!”

A visitation with wake service for Pearl will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Columbkille Church, 200 E Sixth St #2250, Papillion, NE 68046. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Rd, Omaha, Nebraska 68138.